NJR & Seeds of Africa Join To End Deadly Shack Fires

Shack fires have had a deadly and devastating impact on townships across South African. One of the most catastrophic in the country’s history was in Cape Town at Imizamo Yethu, where about 4 500 structures were completely destroyed and approximately 15 000 residents lost their homes and possessions. 

This was just one of multiple shack fires that has demolished homes, and raged across informal settlements. But these shack fires can be prevented. And it’s the mission of Milton Mzobe, a Community Leader and Pastor living in Cosmo City.

Milton has been deeply affected by the impact of shack fires on communities, so in 2014 he founded the NPO Akunamlilo Fire Fighters and has partnered with NJR Steel and other organizations for support to supply fire fighting equipment like Fire Extinguishers and Fire Prevention training to nearly 5000 shack owners in informal settlements in Gauteng.

Not only has Milton managed to start, run and maintain a successful NPO that is helping to educate thousands of South Africans on how to prevent fires, along with providing equipment to fight fires before they spread, he is also an inspiring positive role model and example of success to others in those communities.

Milton could not have achieved this without the support, guidance and training of Seeds of Change, one of the growing initiatives of Seeds of Africa which is supported by NJR Steel. 

Seeds of Change has been a hugely successful entrepreneurial enterprise development program that gives training, mentoring & seed capital to start-up grassroots businesses, so that they can become sustainable SMEs that offer job opportunities and create economic growth within disadvantaged communities.

Milton’s business is just one of 30 that have been empowered and supported by Seeds of Africa. Milton says that not only has his life been changed, but he has been able to help thousands of families become more aware of fire risks and equip themselves against disaster.

Milton says the most important lesson he’s learnt in life is “never give up on your dreams and keep striving to make them a reality. The key to making a success is to  Partner  with Organizations that can assist you, like Seeds of Africa. If it wasn’t for NJR Steel supporting my development and my business through Seeds of Africa I would not be where I am today.”

If you would like  to find out more about how to uplift communities and at the same time earn maximum points on your BBBEE scorecard for Enterprise, Supplier Development and Socio-Economic Development please contact Sally on 082 560 3467 / sally@seedsofafrica.co.za  or visit our website www.seedsofafrica.co.za